After missing Creamline’s loss to Choco Mucho to open the semifinals, Tots Carlos made up for lost time and delivered in the Cool Smashers’ crucial victory over Petro Gazz on Thursday night.
“It was my choice to go there, and I’m grateful enough, really grateful for the management to really let me grab that opportunity,” said Carlos.
“Grateful sa mga coaches ko, sa mga teammates namin na wala akong narinig na kahit ano, na kahit may mami-miss akong isang game.”
Carlos was absent in the team’s 25-13, 25-19, 21-25, 20-25, 16-18 loss to the Flying Titans last Tuesday. She attended the Korean V-League Asian Quota Draft tryout in Jeju Island in South Korea.
She only arrived back in the Philippines earlier today at 1:30 AM, but still managed to put up a big performance to help Creamline score a close 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24 win over the Angels at the Philsports Arena.
“Ako – this is very personal eh, yung pumunta ako doon at pinayagan ako, so parang core memory ko ‘to sa buhay ko. Actually, ‘di pa rin medyo nagsi-sink in yung mga nangyayari sa past days sa akin kasi nga natalo kami sa Choco, tapos nasa Korea ako, tapos meron kaming game today,” said Carlos.
“Yun nga, like what I said, it was my choice to be there. So I know na kahit hindi na ako sabihan nina coach, they expect me to really play today, and really deliver,” she said.
The three-time PVL MVP delivered 21 points on 17 attacks, three blocks, and one ace in the two-hour, 28-minute encounter which helped Cool Smashers force a 1-1 tie with Petro Gazz in the standings.
Carlos said that she feels very happy to have delivered for Creamline in this crucial match. She also thanked the coaching staff for giving her the opportunity to suit up.
“Yun, masaya lang din ako kasi kahit galing ako doon, pinalaro ako nina coach – na talagang yung tiwala nila sa akin, ‘di talaga nawawala. Masaya lang ako sa mga ganung klaseng tao na nakapaligid sa akin.”
Heading into their pivotal match against Chery Tiggo, the 25-year-old Carlos vowed to give her all as the Cool Smashers look to keep their title-retention bid alive.
“Same lang kay coach. I’m sure yung bawa’t isa sa amin, gusto ring makabawi, and we’ll make sure na may natutunan kami doon sa loss namin doon sa eliminations,” she said.
“Pagdating naman sa semis, sabi ni coach lagi na 0-0 na yan. So kung ano yung nakaraan, kalimutan na. Magpe-prepare kami.”
